Strategic Partnerships & Grants Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Strategic Partnerships and Grants Manager for Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP), you will join a dynamic, U.S.-based team collaborating closely with local CBOs and NGOs that promote girls’ education and empowerment in rural Kenya. You will be responsible for managing existing partners and funding streams, as well as expanding WGEP’s presence in Kenya by identifying and collaborating with like-minded funders and implementers who work to improve the lives of women and girls in rural communities. This role reports directly to the Executive Director, based in the US, and is remote, with the position located in Kenya.

SALARY

Starting salary KES 395,000/month. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and aligned with local NGO standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Strategic Partnerships and Grants Manager will help WGEP reach our annual revenue goals (2026 goal: $2M) and strategic objectives via:

Donor stewardship and partner development [50%]

• Lead grant prospecting and identify potential funding partners
• Cultivate and steward relationships with institutional, corporate, and individual donors in Kenya and East Africa.
• Draft and submit compelling grant proposals, concept notes, and budgets.
• Reach out to potential corporations for partnerships
• Develop materials for potential corporate partners as needed
• Manage foundation relations, in-person meetings, Zoom updates, and phone calls
• Write grant proposals and reports for major donors and grant partners
• Represent WGEP at donor conferences and networking events in person and online

Partner advisor and capacity building [25%]

• Provide ongoing technical support to local partner organizations in Kenya, which will include occasional travel to partner locations for site visits.
• Identify potential new partner organizations, and conduct evaluations to determine alignment with WGEP
• Provide tailored technical support to strengthen partner capacity in program delivery and reporting.
• Coordinate quarterly reporting and data collection aligned with WGEP’s monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Capture stories and updates from the field for the WGEP quarterly board meetings and communications materials

Communications [25%]

• Develop press releases, feature stories, and thought pieces for relevant Kenyan and regional media outlets.
• Serve as an ambassador for WGEP in Kenya, representing the organization in external meetings and public forums.
• Collaborate with the global team to produce high-quality content—written, visual, and video—highlighting program impact.

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Passion for gender equality, girls’ education, and equitable international development
• 5+ years’ experience in non-profit development
• Experience in grant writing for foundation and corporate partners
• Excellent writing skills, interpersonal communication skills, and comfort with public speaking
• Knowledge and experience with grant writing within the philanthropic landscape for girls’ education
• Ability to work independently, multitask with ease, and be a creative problem solver
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting with other staff members, local partners, and the board of directors
• Demonstrated ability to develop complex strategies and implement action plans
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, Master's degree preferred

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience managing or coordinating donor-funded projects (e.g., USAID, UN, Rotary, foundations).
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems.
• Existing professional network within the gender equality or education sector in Kenya/East Africa.

WORKING LOCATION/HOURS

The role will require flexible hours to accommodate coordination with U.S.-based colleagues in Central Standard Time. Occasional travel within Kenya is required for partner visits and representation at events.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a PDF copy of your resume and a short cover letter detailing how your qualifications are well-matched for the role (include examples where possible) to jobs@womensglobal.org. All applications should be emailed with the subject line “Strategic Partnerships and Grants Manager Application_[Last Name]”—the priority deadline is December 15th, 2025.

About Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP):

Women's Global Education Project (WGEP) is a women-led, Chicago-area organization whose mission is to empower women and girls in rural regions of Senegal & Kenya through education, building better lives, and fostering more equitable communities. We operate complementary programs to dismantle the structural barriers that keep girls from attending and succeeding in school. WGEP partners with dynamic grassroots leaders to ensure our work is community-driven, sustainable, and aligned with the actual needs of our target communities. Learn more at https://womensglobal.org/.

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